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Exclusive: What shocked Justin Forsett about Flint water crisis

As the water emergency continues in Flint, Michigan, many around the country are trying to help, including a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Running back Justin Forsett recently returned from Flint, where he and some of his NFL colleagues went to see what they could do. Even as he's overcoming a painful arm injury, Forsett told 11 News that he felt that he had to go. Forsett got the ball rolling after hearing from a close friend in Flint, and he said he felt that it was almost his destiny to answer that call.

As the water emergency continues in Flint, Michigan, many around the country are trying to help, including a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Running back Justin Forsett recently returned from Flint, where he and some of his NFL colleagues went to see what they could do. Even as he's overcoming a painful arm injury, Forsett told 11 News that he felt that he had to go. Forsett got the ball rolling after hearing from a close friend in Flint, and he said he felt that it was almost his destiny to answer that call.

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Updated: 5:31 PM EST Feb 22, 2016

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WEBVTT OSE FRIEND IN FLINT, AND HE FEELS IT'S HIS DESTINY TO ANSWER THAT CALL. >> I HAVE THIS PLATFORM FOR A REASON. I WANT T SERVE AS BEST I COULD. LOWELL: THE FLINT DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION CRISIS NEVER HIT JUSTIN FORSETT'S RADAR UNTIL HIS FRIEND LIVING THERE PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE FOR HIM. AFTER SEEING IMAGES ON THE NEWS, HE THOUGHT OF HIS OWN KIDS. I HAVE TO BATHE MY KIDS EVERY NIGHT, SPLASHING THE WATER AROUND. IT'S CRAZY TO THINK THAT DURING THAT TIME THEY COULD BE AT RISK OF GETTING POISONED. IT'S UNFORTUNATE. I DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION. LOWELL: IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE SUPER BOWL, A PHONE CALL WITH TORREY SMITH SEALED THE DEAL. >> TALKING TO TORRE Y ON THE PHONE, WE DECIDED, LET'S GO OUT AND TAKE SOME ACTION. LOWELL: HE AND SMITH ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER NFL PLAYERS HEADED TO FLINT ON FEDORA 10, VISITING HIGH SCHOOLS -- ON FEBRUARY 10, VISITING HIGH SCHOOLS. >> IT WAS EYE OPENING, HEARING STORIES OF KIDS TAKING SHOWERS AND HAVING RASHES OVER THEIR BODIES, HAIR FALLING OUT, SOME KIDS WEARING WIGS TO SCHOOL. LOWELL: HE SAID HE WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THE MISINFORMATION THE PEOPLE OF FLINT WERE EXPERIENCING. >> KIDS WERE SAYING, I JUST BOIL TH WATER. I CAN TAKE OUT THE LEAD. ACTUALLY BOILING THE WATER MAKES IT WORSE. LOWELL: FORSE DONATED BODY WIPES FROM HIS HYGIENIC BODY COMPANY, AND OTHER PLAYERS DONATED BOTTLE WATER TO THE TUNE OF $100,000. THE RAVENS RUNNING BACK SAYS HE HAS ANOTHER TRIP PLANNED IN THE WORKS AS HE CONTINUES TO ANSWER HIS CALL. LOWELL: ALL OF US GREW UP BY A FLINT OR NO A FLINT. THIS WAS MY SITUATION TO PUT MYSELF IN THERE AS A FATHER. WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP OUT. LOWELL: FOUR SET TOLD US THAT IF PEOPLE FEE INSPIRED, THERE IS A LOT THEY CAN DO. FOR MORE INFORMATION, WE PROVIDED SOME LINKS ON OUR

Exclusive: What shocked Justin Forsett about Flint water crisis

As the water emergency continues in Flint, Michigan, many around the country are trying to help, including a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Running back Justin Forsett recently returned from Flint, where he and some of his NFL colleagues went to see what they could do. Even as he's overcoming a painful arm injury, Forsett told 11 News that he felt that he had to go. Forsett got the ball rolling after hearing from a close friend in Flint, and he said he felt that it was almost his destiny to answer that call.